The Liverpool International Gothic Festival (LIGF) #GoingGothic

From 18 to 24 November, Liverpool will experience a Gothic transformation as it welcomes its first International Gothic Festival to the mysterious heart of the city. Drawing upon Liverpool’s Gothic identity, haunted spaces and dark cultural histories, the annual Liverpool International Gothic Festival (LIGF) will focus on bringing Gothic expressions in art, film, literature and performance to the centre of Liverpool life. Combining physical theatre, working exhibitions, film screenings, ghost tours, readings, cookery demonstrations with a Gothic flavour, academic papers and educational events, the LIGF will present Gothic interventions into the streets of Liverpool.

Dr Ben Brabon from Edge Hill University – one of Festival’s partners – explains: “2014 marks the 250th anniversary of the publication of the first Gothic novel and the celebrations are starting early in Liverpool with the inaugural Liverpool International Gothic Festival this November. The Festival will bring together a variety of different creative approaches to how the Gothic inhabits the city of Liverpool. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience a range of innovative interpretations of the Gothic at locations all over city.”

Best-selling novelist Matt Haig, author of The Radley’s discusses the challenges of the modern day suburban vampire, a pop up art studio in the city’s vibrant commercial district, showcases work from local and national artistic talent, FACT bring the horror to the big screen, readings take place in Waterstones and across the city, some of the UKs leading academics converge upon the city for the Gothic Conversation, artist Stephen Walter and infamous Urban Explorer Bradley Garrett discuss subterranean cities, Shiverpool and other local tour operators provide specialised tours of Liverpool’s Gothic elements, some of the city’s most well loved venues get on board and that’s just for starters, the main course is definitely not human!

The LIGF will draw out Liverpool’s Gothic heritage and use it to make connections between people across the City. This festival is another unique event in Liverpool’s calendar of fantastic experiences. LIGF aims to contribute to Liverpool’s growth as a successful tourist economy bringing in new audiences, fostering networks and showing that Liverpool has many faces and offers many reasons to visit. Like the ghosts within the pages of Gothic novels, the Gothic is a brilliant boundary crosser, breaking down divisions of class, race and gender identity.

Julie Stone-Hindle, LIGF Founder says“This festival is a wonderful opportunity to show off Liverpool’s creativity and its little known Gothic identity. For one week every year Liverpool goes Gothic! Every person in the city can get involved whether you’re a business or sitting at home drinking red wine out of a chalice. #GoingGothic and let’s put this festival on the map!”